The rising cost of express shipping has made it difficult for businesses to send large packages abroad. In the past few years, logistics companies have increased shipping rates significantly by more than 400%. Many businesses have gradually added air cargo shipping to their services to remain competitive with price-sensitive customers who send large packages internationally.
Let’s break down what air cargo shipping is, how it works, and why so many smart business owners are adding it to their services.
What is Air Cargo Shipping?
Imagine trying to move into a new house by taking one suitcase at a time in a taxi. You’ll spend a lot of money, waste hours, and be exhausted. But what if you could just hire a moving truck and move everything in one go? That’s what cargo shipping does for your business.
Air cargo shipping is the process of transporting large quantities of goods, usually 50kg and above, from one location to another, often by air or sea. Unlike regular parcel shipping (where you send items one by one in boxes), air cargo shipping allows you to combine all your goods into a single shipment, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective, especially for business or international deliveries.
What are the Benefits of Shipping with Air Cargo?
But why are smart entrepreneurs and business owners switching to cargo shipping instead of sending multiple small parcels? Let’s break it down.
1. Cut Costs Significantly
Shipping goods one by one adds up. Fast. Cargo shipping allows you to consolidate multiple orders into one shipment, saving you from paying individual parcel fees.
Businesses shipping 50kg or more often find that cargo options reduce costs by up to 40%, especially when shipping internationally.
2. Ship in Bulk, Stress-Free
Air cargo lets you move your products in bulk without worrying about size restrictions or repackaging multiple boxes.
This is especially helpful for:
- E-commerce brands fulfilling international orders
- Merchants exporting goods like foodstuffs or fabrics
- SMEs restocking inventory quickly
3. Better Packaging & Handling
Cargo shipments go through customised packaging and are handled differently from parcels. This reduces damage risk, especially for fragile or perishable goods.
With air cargo, your shipment gets treated like a priority, not just another box.
4. Streamlined Customs Clearance
Air cargo shipments benefit from clearer, faster customs procedures, especially when shipped through experienced logistics partners like Terminal Africa.
Our system ensures:
- Transparent documentation
- No surprise fees
- Direct support when you need it
Cargo vs Express Shipping
When deciding between air cargo and express shipping, it all comes down to size, speed, and savings. Express shipping is great for small, urgent packages—it gets your items delivered fast, often within 1–3 days.
But when you’re shipping large or heavy items, express quickly becomes expensive, with rates charged per parcel and strict packaging limits.
Air cargo, on the other hand, is designed for bulk shipments. It may take a few extra days (typically 3–7 days), but it’s far more cost-effective when you’re moving goods of 50kg or more. Cargo shipments are packaged more securely, handled with greater care, and processed through customs faster.
If you’re still shipping large items one parcel at a time, it’s time to rethink your approach. Cargo shipping isn’t just for big corporations—it’s for smart, forward-thinking businesses and individuals who want to save money, reduce hassle, and scale faster.
Whether you’re restocking inventory, fulfilling customer orders, or sending goods to loved ones abroad, cargo shipping gives you more control, better handling, and far less stress.
